Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

06/23/2026

Did this book push America into the Civil War?

In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe published a novel exposing the brutality of slavery.

It became one of the most popular books of its time. Some readers were moved to act, while others were so threatened they banned it, burned it, and punished people for owning it.

06/23/2026

Hey, Federal Communications Commission — hands off local news!🤚 In the United States, the people get to decide for themselves what to watch. Doesn’t matter if the president doesn’t like it.

06/22/2026

We applaud the New Jersey Assembly for amending S2260/A2218, bills that exposed citizens, journalists, and advocacy groups to lawsuits over statements that caused "emotional harm" to someone who received or provided reproductive health care.

As the New Jersey Press Association Chairman Brett Ainsworth warned:

“These bills lack basic constitutional safeguards and would punish truthful reporting relating to reproductive health care services, as well as protected opinions about such services.”

Thankfully, the Assembly's amendments addressed these concerns. We urge the Senate to concur.
We'll keep watching bills like this nationwide to ensure no one faces lawsuits for expressing opinions, truthful statements, or other protected speech.

📝: https://njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2260

06/22/2026

What’s the most legal way to burn a flag at a protest? 🔥 🇺🇸

06/21/2026

Free speech doesn't hand us answers.

It gives us the freedom to search for them.

And that search is never finished. That's what Soapbox, our free speech conference, is all about.

Secure your spot now. 🎟️ https://soapbox.fire.org/Soapbox/

06/21/2026

Behind every lawsuit, every brief, and every hearing is careful legal work that turns principle into action.

We are looking for a Staff Attorney to defend free speech for all Americans.

If you are committed to the First Amendment, we encourage you to apply.

💼:https://www.fire.org/careers/staff-attorney-0

06/20/2026

This week in free speech:

👉 England proposes a social media ban for anyone under 16 years old
👉 New York advances a bill that would require warning labels on AI-generated news content
👉 Trump administration imposes export controls on Anthropic’s Fable 5 and Mythos 5 AI models

Catch the latest in this week’s FIREwire. ⬇️

Regulations are coming for artificial intelligence. Here's what FIRE is doing to protect your rights.

06/19/2026

Tipsy or not, one thing is clear. Woodrow Wilson sucked for free speech.

06/18/2026

Montgomery County Public Schools now requires pre-publication review of all student journalism, posters, and opinion pieces.

Administrators can block content for vague reasons like embarrassment or sarcasm, with no set timeline.

MCPS's memo directly conflicts with Maryland law that gives student journalists control over their editorial decisions.

We’re calling on MCPS to rescind this policy and restore compliance with state protections and First Amendment standards.

✉️: https://www.fire.org/research-learn/fire-letter-montgomery-county-public-school-district-june-18-2026

06/18/2026

Free speech is most vulnerable when disagreement gets reframed as harm.

We defend the space for open disagreement every day, but we can't do it without your support.

Join the Free Speech Movement today! 🔥 https://www.thefire.org/donate?form=sm